Marine careers

Mechanical engineering technician

Mechanical engineering technicians design, install and repair industrial machines and parts.

Annual Salary

£28,000 to £47,000

Working hours

37 to 42 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends; on shifts

2.8%
Future employment

There will be 2.8% more Mechanical engineering technician jobs in 2029.
In your local area

What's it all about?

Day-to-day tasks

As a mechanical engineering technician, you could:

  • use computer aided design (CAD) software to draw parts
  • test ideas to improve existing systems and solve problems
  • install and test instruments and machinery
  • identify and repair faults
  • meet performance and safety targets

Working environment

You may need to wear protective clothing.

You could work in a factory or in an office.

Your working environment may be noisy and outdoors some of the time.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
University

You can do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in mechanical engineering.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College

You can take a college course which would teach you some of the skills needed to become a mechanical engineering technician. Relevant courses include:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
  • Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Technology
  • Level 3 Extended Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
  • T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control
  • T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
  • search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship

You can apply to do a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, such as:

  • Engineering Technician
  • Mechatronics Maintenance Technician
  • Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician

These can take between 3 and 4 years to complete and combine on-the-job training with learning off site.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

More information

Further information

You'll find more details about careers and training through the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and Tomorrow's Engineers.

With experience, you could manage a team or a project.

You could specialise in areas like CAD design or quality control.

You could also qualify as an engineer by completing a degree in mechanical engineering.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • maths knowledge
  • design skills and knowledge
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
My top 5 skills from the skills bank
Please sign in to compare your skills to this job. Sign in

To save or view your choices and results you must sign in or register (takes 1 minute).

Sign in Register